McDonald's plans 'Fish McBites' to boost sales

Thursday

Jan 24, 2013 at 2:00 AM

NEW YORK — McDonald's used the Dollar Menu to help lift its profit in the latest quarter. Now the world's biggest hamburger chain is turning to a pipeline of new menu items to boost slumping sales, starting with "Fish McBites."

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — McDonald's used the Dollar Menu to help lift its profit in the latest quarter. Now the world's biggest hamburger chain is turning to a pipeline of new menu items to boost slumping sales, starting with "Fish McBites."

The Oak Brook, Ill.-based company is betting that it will be able to beat back intensifying competition and economic pressures with the lineup, which executives said includes new burgers, chicken entrees and breakfast offerings that are performing well in test markets. The Fish McBites, which will come in three sizes and use the same Alaskan pollock used in the Filet-O-Fish, are set to be launched as a limited-time addition in February.

The stepped-up offerings come after McDonald's managed to eke out a higher profit for the October-to-December period with a series of short-term maneuvers, such as touting its Dollar Menu, pushing back the two-week availability of its popular McRib to the second half of December when sales comparisons from a year-ago were tougher, and urging franchisees to stay open on Christmas.

In addition to a more "robust" pipeline of new products, McDonald's executives said they'll boost sales by continuing remodeling efforts and extending store hours around the world.

Although McDonald's said it increased its U.S. market share this past year, the chain is facing tougher competition from traditional rivals such as Burger King, Taco Bell and Wendy's, which have been revamping their menus and posing a bigger threat. In addition, people are increasingly heading to eateries such as Chipotle and Panera that offer higher-quality food for slightly higher prices.